The Ali Forney Center, New York City's largest shelter for homeless LGBT youth has released a set of videos featuring four of their clients talking about the physical abuse, psychological torment, and rejection they suffered in Christian households which drove them from their homes.

"As millions celebrate Easter, I need to ask my fellow Christians to wake up to the terrible fact that far too many LGBT youth are being abused and rejected in Christian homes...

A recent study by the Family Acceptance Project on the impact of family rejection of LGBT youth found that parents who identify as "strongly religious" were significantly more likely to reject their children. According to research by the Center for American Progress, there are an estimated 300,000 homeless LGBT youth in our country, and the leading cause of their homelessness is family rejection.

It doesn't have to be like this. Jesus Christ never spoke a word of condemnation against homosexuals. Churches don't have any need to condemn LGBT people, or fight against our equal treatment in our country. A growing number of church communities have chosen to be affirming and supportive of LGBT people. I have the joy of experiencing this directly in the numerous church groups who send volunteers to cook in our shelters and collect clothing and even Christmas gifts for our young people.

A healthy society prioritizes the safety of children. Decent people do not stand by in silence when children are being abused. We need to recognize that the condemnation of LGBT people in churches leads to the abuse and rejection of LGBT children in far too many Christian homes.

Comments

Sad. I wish all the best to the lives of these young people. May the future be better than the past.

Posted by: Matt26 | Mar 29, 2013 8:22:25 AM

My heart goes out to these kids, having gone through something similar and having volunteered with the Ali Forney Center in the past. That said, the Ali Forney Center really needs to get their act together behind the scenes. Requesting funds is imperative, but maintaining the relationships with your volunteers who spend their free time with these kids day in and day out is also imperative.

Posted by: Kevin | Mar 29, 2013 9:17:10 AM

See what Christianist love does?

Posted by: Jack M | Mar 29, 2013 9:20:05 AM

..and this is why I cant stand religion!!!!

Posted by: disgusted american | Mar 29, 2013 9:27:37 AM

Jack M - Not all Christians are like this. The few tarnish the many.

Posted by: CGD | Mar 29, 2013 9:28:50 AM

Aside from Rashon, they're all from outside NY. It irritates me many places in the country get away with ignoring their social [and economic] problems by suggesting and even encouraging down and out folks to hop on a bus to the nearest big city.

I hope these young people all make out OK. It's a scary thing to be homeless.

Posted by: ratbastard | Mar 29, 2013 11:19:15 AM

Dear CGD,
If only that were true.
Me

Posted by: chaszle | Mar 29, 2013 11:24:50 AM

i wish only light and happiness for these young men. It does indeed get better. I'm know from my own experiences.

Posted by: Bart | Mar 29, 2013 11:46:19 AM

Ben can come live with me!!!

Posted by: Todd | Mar 29, 2013 12:03:38 PM

This is such a heart wrenching situation. When I see things like this, I wonder why there is not more publicity about this.

It seems like our priorities are all mixed up.

Someone should be working toward holding the parents who do this to their children criminally liable. I'll help.

So many of these evangelicals are f*ed up - I recently met a 23 year old straight man who had been kicked out by his parents when he was 14 after he got a girl pregnant. (The girl decided to have an abortion). His parents have not been willing to speak with or see him since. Their "pastor" instructed them to handle it in this way.

Eloquent written statement by Mr. Siciliano

Also, from my own experience, it is important to screen those who work or volunteer for these organizations. Some pedophiles prey on these vulnerable teens.

Posted by: Fahd | Mar 29, 2013 3:12:16 PM

Every Christian I know pretends these stories are bizarre outliers, yet will admit though that the parents are "correct on the scripture"! Religion kills, there's no reason to not admit that fact.

Posted by: Jimtoday | Mar 29, 2013 3:23:58 PM

Not to be contrary, but I find that 300,000 figure to be difficult to believe...

And if YOU do actually believe it, you should be going to Church this weekend, and talking about it.

Just sayin'.

Posted by: Tom | Mar 30, 2013 12:54:19 AM

Jimtoda, if "every Christian" you know is like that, you must live a sheltered life, or live in a real craphole of a place.

Posted by: Franklin | Mar 30, 2013 12:55:21 AM

Only four? As a gay male who came out during the ever escalating height of the AIDS crisis during the eighties, that number of rejected gay youth by Christian parents who didn't eat their young, seems extremely low. Mayve the cannibalism rates have gone up instead.

there are two identical jesus Christ revelation 17:8. this is the 3 1/2 time period where the beast's identity is revealed to the Christians and catholics. revelation 17:8,15:2 and revelation 7:9,14

my testimony is from the true living God.

the antichrist is the spirit of this world, the prince the power of the air. Revelation 16:13-14, Ephesians 2:2, Daniel 8:5, Revelation 13:18, 2 thessalonians 2:9-10.

millions of believers both Christians and catholics are being deceived by men preaching another gospel, another jesus Acts 20:26-30, Matthew 24:24. Satan is impersonating Christ to deceive men to prepare for revelation 19:19-20, revelation 16:14 and revelation 13:7-8, 16-18, Daniel 8:12-the word host means ministers. psalms 103:21.

I am a witness to seeing ministers of the Vatican, churches, networks, organizations, etc. around the world following the identical jesus Christ which is the beast.

WE are that generation that Christ saw at the mount of temptation where satan is impersonating Christ to millions of people 2 Thessalonian 2:9 deceiving men and planting and building churches, beautiful sites to make congregation for worship and for spiritual warfare against the King of kings and Lord of lords. WE are that generation according to matthew chapter 24 when Christ told his disciples!

2 Corinthians 11: 13-15! Satan is mindful of the things of man not of God. Isaiah 14:12-14, Luke 4:31-34- making buildings, people playing instruments with man's hands and singing for worship, etc. revelation 18:22-23

must watch and hear video on youtube titled, "Christ testimony of the churches -around the world." there are two identical Jesus Christ revelation 17:8.

most of revelation is happening in the spirit world. that's why Jesus said it would be like the days of Noah and Lot. the abomination of desolation is happening in the spirit realm inside all these man made buildings set up for worship. the Christians and catholics, etc are not aware of what's happening to them and around them in these places, (churches -any four wall building representing God to gather believers of Christ). these churches around the world are all connected to "The Great City" Revelation 11, which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt and Mystery of iniquity. Church leaders around the world are searching of the earthly signs. this will not happen until the very last day and hour. God will not allow man to destroy the earth with nuclear bombs. read matthew 3:12 and Revelation 20:9. God sends his son to the earth with the fire behind him consuming all his enemies which are left from the resurrection of the dead and those that are alive. the body of Christ is gathered as the son of man appears at last sound of shofar, he is coming while the wheat are gathered and the tares are left as the chaff and earth is consumed by the fire of God.

The true outpouring of the Holy Spirit of truth happens before the 5th shofar and 5th vial is poured. Revelation 7:3-4,13-14 Revelation 9:4! Joel 2:28-29-this happens in the homes of God's people and their family members (read Isaiah 26:20-21)! the people of God flee all man made churches, anything of the identical jesus christ movement. then Joel 2:30 which shows the aftermath of the sixth and fifth shofar sounds and fifth and sixth vial poured. then Joel 2:31-32 happens...

what all revivals, signs and wonders happening in these churches, huge ministries around the world is revelation 16:14 and revelation 19:19-20, 2 thessalonians 2:9-10
this message is not a joke. this is not a game. I am telling the truth! God's people must come out of the identical jesus Christ movement NOW and seek God in prayer without ceasing and seek God's forgiveness and be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ!